Learning Spanish

I started using Rosetta Stone to learn Spanish and I must say that I LOVE IT! I've finished the first level and am on the second level now. I have the iPad app to go with it. The kids and I use it. I also downloaded a program called eFlashSpanish. She really likes this app and the best part about it is that it's free!

Here she is using it. Oh, and Austyn tried to get in there too. LOL!

Medieval Things

 Austyn drew some interesting swords from a sword book we got at the library and made up one of his own. 

Here is a sock doll I made for him. In this picture it's not stuffed yet and he is picking out the buttons.

Here is the doll finished. It's actually a vampire doll but I had a bit of trouble doing the teeth. It may look a bit sad. LOL! I have to fix the eyes already because they are loose. I never said I was good at sewing. It turned out nice, considering.

I will need to get embroidery needles one of these days so that he can sew his own things more. My needles are too sharp.

 The doll was an activity we chose from this book. The mead recipe from a previous post is from this book as well.

Silly Resolutions

 I'm sad to say that with so many changes we've had behavioral problems. These kids must be stressed. I've been having trouble finding ways to deal and help them through their rough spots, but it's not so easy. One day when they were not listening I decided that instead of getting angry I'd just blow my nose (still have a cold) and cross my eyes in the process and see if they noticed. Yup! They did. And here are the pictures that came out of it. 

 They listened better after this playful act. I guess I still do have some ideas up my sleeve.

You just never know what will work. We all felt better after all of this cross-eyed fun.

this moment - Electric Guitar Cat Face

{this moment}

*** *** *** 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you would like to see what others have posted or if you would like to join in here is the link to SouleMama's Blog:
http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2011/01/this-moment.html

Zoe's Cafe

Zoe loves to play pretend. There are two more common pretend plays that she does. One is hospital and the other is restaurant. We recently put batteries in her (possessed, because it goes off on it's own when not touched) Barbie coffee/latte machine. Here she is explaining what she is doing. As you can see, it incorporates penmanship and usually money.

Lacrosse Tournament 1

 Austyn's first lacrosse tournament finished. 

 They all did a great job. Here is a team picture.

 Three friends in a hug!

Another metal.


Here is a goal he got on one of the games. This goalie was not letting many balls by.


Here is the assist he had on the last game.

Nature on the Farm

 This huge farm property at Rainbows End Farm provided many opportunities to view nature. There were hawks, ravens, woodpeckers and many other birds.

 This cow bird was taking a rest after enjoying the mud in the cows pen.

 The children were sent on a nature scavenger hunt. They had to find a beaver chewed piece of wood, leaves, a piece of coal, a piece of sandstone, a live animal or insect, a wild flower and much more. 

 The scenery was spectacular.

 A sight I'm not use to seeing... I think a beaver was here.

 The stream was a favourite for the kids.

 Weird place for a mushroom.

 A beaver was here as well.

 This is one sandstone that the Tyrell Dinosaur Museum Scientists left behind of a duck-billed dinosaur foot print.

Playing on the Farm

 The kids got to play in the play area on the huge property at Rainbows End Farm. They had wooden play equipment, an old pioneer style wagon that served as a slide, a wooden miniature fort style sandbox, a couple of ti-pis with sandboxes inside, and a basketball net. While they played we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for lunch. They also provided a morning snack and an afternoon snack. The owner was a wonderful host. 

 Here they are shooting hoops.

 Zoe enjoyed playing in a ti-pi with a friend.

Austyn and his friend tried to swing as high as they could.

Hands-On Farm Experience

 We went on a field trip with one of our homeschool groups to Rainbows End Farm. It was a great way to learn more about farm animals. In the above picture the donkey across the lane is being stubborn. 

The farm is set up in stations and at each there is a laminated sign that talks about the animals there and gives an activity for each child to try.

 Zoe feeding the baby goats.

 She was an expert at catching animals. 

 Austyn caught one.

The older goats loved to chew on my pants.

 Austyn feeding the baby goats with his friends.

 This kitty was hiding from the crowd of kids.

 The little ones were learning about rabbits and got to hold a baby.

 Zoe enjoyed this.

 Austyn got to hold a baby rabbit with the older kids as well.

 They took a goat for a walk around the farm yard.

 They could touch the goslings and ducklings.

 I placed a duckling on Zoe's lap.

 They got to choose to walk a donkey, a lama, or an alpaca. 

 They got to brush a donkey.

 Feeding the animals can be fun.

 These cows didn't mind visitors at all. They just lounged in the sun.

 Here is Zoe holding one of the chicks from the incubator.

 Austyn held a duckling.

 Austyn's friend had such a nice, warm, comfortable hold that his duckling fell right to sleep. 

 We took a wagon ride around the farm to see some more animals and ask questions about them.

This farm was an all around experience. Animals, farm life, nature, playing with friends. I have a couple more posts to do on this farm. Stay tuned for some pictures of their play time and nature on the farm.

A friend from Dance Class

 Zoe went to meet her friend for a play date. Since the wind got back we went to her friends house. There they played dress-up.

I think they tried on every outfit she had! LOL!

Time Alone

I took Zoe to the park without Austyn to meet a friend. There was some time for her to play alone while we waited. She does well playing alone. Austyn isn't as interested in solitary time at all, but Zoe rather enjoys it. It think that time alone is important. Being the youngest in my family with a huge age gap it was much like being an only child and although there were times I craved company, I still gained so much from my time alone.